Project Description

The Graduate Richmond was created by the alteration and renovation of the closed Double Tree on West Franklin Street adjacent to the main VCU campus. The Graduate franchise concept is to acquire a distressed property adjacent to a major college campus and alter the building to include amenities, services, and a penthouse or rooftop restaurant/ bar to encourage the student community to come and use these elements.

The addition of the rooftop element required out of the box thinking to create a new structural element on top of the existing rooftop. The selected solution was to create a structural platform above the existing roof by extending the columns to support the new steel structure.

With careful coordination and creative solutions, the team was able to create a space that has become a destination in the downtown scene.

Photos courtesy of www.graduatehotels.com